Fisheries Protection Unit urged to ease mukene fishing restrictions

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The Uganda People’s Defence Forces Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has been urged to ease its restrictions on silverfish (mukene) fishing on Lake Victoria.

Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama, also the Mayuge District Woman Member of Parliament, stated that the livelihoods of lakeside communities relying primarily on fishing activities are at risk due to the enforcement of the ban.

Nakadama acknowledged the need to protect fish stocks but stressed that blanket restrictions without viable alternatives are hurting small-scale fishermen and fish traders who depend on silver fish for income.

She said once the FPU, which works hand in hand with the fisheries ministry, makes a recommendation, communities which depend mainly on the lake will regain their right to fish following the stipulated guidelines so as to revive their businesses.

“We cannot have our people anchored to the shores with boats tied and nets unused, while their families go hungry. Ever since the ban, most people have lost out on businesses because the Lake was their main source of income. The intention is not to dismantle conservation efforts, but to balance sustainability with survival,” she said.

Minister Nakadama made the call while presiding over a community engagement of the fishing communities under their association ‘ABAVUBI KU M7’ from the districts of Mukono, Kalangala, Buvuma, Buikwe, Jinja, Buyende and Mayuge on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Bwondha Primary School play grounds.

The meeting was also attended by local government officials, MPs and a team from FPU led by their commandant, Lt Col Mercy Adah Turakhirwa.

Earlier, National Resistance Movement (NRM) LC5 flag-bearer David Ziija said the ban has left most fishing communities around Lake Victoria unproductive.

Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama (centre) with Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa pose for a group photo with some of the youths who defected from NUP to NRM at the function. (Photo by Doreen Musingo)

“Most families can no longer sustain themselves and are now living in absolute poverty. We need the FPU to relax to revive the activity with at least well-stipulated guidelines that will be followed by the fishermen,” Ziija said.

Shared responsibility

Lt Col Tukahirwa, the commandant, said the collaboration with the fishing communities shows shared responsibility while ensuring the protection of the lake’s dwindling fish resources.

She explained that President Yoweri Museveni sent her to sensitise lower communities on illegal fishing, adding that they have shifted focus to purely enforcement operations and community engagement, education on proper fishing methods, legal gear sizes, and conservation of zones and putting more emphasis on the education of children in fishing communities.

“We are not enemies, but we are partners in protecting our national resources because our goal is to ensure that Lake Victoria continues to sustain future generations by eliminating destructive fishing methods and encouraging lawful practices. Through dialogue and partnership, we can ensure that Lake Victoria continues to feed and sustain Ugandans for generations to come,” she said.

During the meeting, Tukahirwa directed the Jinja-Mayuge FPU sectorial commander, Stephen Taremwa, to return boats, engines, motor vehicles and motorcycles that were impounded during various operations to the respective owners.

“We are giving you back these items because most of the communities are now remorseful and are following the stipulated guidelines. Ensure you put them to good use to boost your earnings and also educate your children to have a bright future,” she noted.

She noted that Mayuge district, which has also received shillings one billion from the presidential initiative towards the fishing community, should put it to the right use through procuring the right fishing gears.

Eastern region FPU commander Maj. Ronald Akandwanaho said the co-operation drive is part of the UPDF’s wider civil-military relations programme aimed at strengthening trust between security forces and communities in strategic economic growth.

“Our focus is on partnership, not punishment. The FPU is working with communities to restore fish stocks and promote responsible fishing that benefits everyone. When we protect the lake, we protect the economy,” he said.

Trends are reversing

He added that illegal fishing practices had drastically reduced fish production and export earnings over the past decade, but recent collaboration between enforcement units and fishermen has started reversing the trend.

In her concluding remarks, Minister Nakadama hailed the FPU and communities for the improved relationship. “We have been having sleepless nights over Lake Victoria activities. Through this initiative of giving back the impounded items, we appreciate FPU's effort,” she said.

Nakadama said apart from the shillings one billion from the presidential initiative, the Government has also introduced the Alternative Livelihood Fund for the fishing communities.

She explained that they have started with Buikwe district and soon, the programme will be rolled out to Mayuge district.

“This new fund is meant to benefit fishing communities. They should not only dwell on the lake but should be able to improve other income-generating activities,” she noted.

During the function, the minister who officially launched the ‘ABAVUBI KU M7’ association said the Government has completed designs and is in the final stages of tarmacking the road from Bwondha landing site to Iganga district for better transportation of goods.

Fisheries community speaks out

Buvuma Fisheries community chairperson Ruth Mirembe said that before the FPU, they faced a lot of theft of boat engines and their products on the lake. She urged the fishing communities to formulate SACCOs to benefit from both the presidential and Alternative funding to equip themselves with the right fishing gears and also obtain licenses.

ABAVUBI KU M7 chairperson Eriya Wasajja said the association, which supports activities of fighting illegal fishing and promotes President Museveni’s manifesto among the fishing communities, said FPU has managed to fight illegal fishing, where most now earn better.

“Fishermen now understand why the rules exist, and officers are also listening to our challenges because working together makes everyone safer,” he said.

James Kitimbo, the chairperson of Bwondha landing site, which boasts of 35,000 residents and is surrounded by smaller islands, said they need better service delivery through the creation of a well-equipped health centre IV since most fishermen can't trek long distances, from one district to another, to access health services.